The tenure of the University of Colorado's new interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences was reduced to one year Monday amid faculty outcry about not being involved in the selection process. (Cliff Grassmick / Staff Photographer)

Jim White, interim dean of the University of Colorado's College of Arts and Sciences (Courtesy photo)

Prompted by faculty outrage, University of Colorado Provost Russell Moore and incoming Arts and Sciences Dean Jim White on Monday agreed to reduce White's term to one year at the helm of the Boulder campus's largest college.

When White's appointment was announced July 11, he was introduced as the new Arts and Sciences dean, with no mention that it was an interim position. Less than two weeks later, CU began referring to White as an interim dean who would hold the post for up to three years.

Now, as faculty continue to protest they weren't involved in the selection process, White's interim tenure has been cut to one year.

"I hope that this decision allows our campus to move forward to focus on the future of your college and our campus and specifically on your ideas about how to improve the creation and dissemination of new knowledge," Moore wrote in an email to chairs and directors of the College of Arts and Sciences on Monday afternoon.

Faculty members pointed out that this behavior was unprecedented and claimed that the appointment violated CU Regent law and faculty governance.

"While my position as provost gives me the authority to appoint interim deans, even beyond one year, I certainly hear and respect the concerns raised about not consulting faculty in a shared governance model," Moore wrote.

Moore said in light of these concerns, which included a letter signed by more than 40 faculty members, White offered to modify his interim position to one year, and Moore accepted that modification.

White could not immediately be reached for comment.

"After we have all worked together on the vision for the college and campus during the coming year, I will evaluate where we are in that process, and will consult with you and your colleagues to determine the best path forward," Moore wrote.

Moore and Kelly Fox, CU's senior vice chancellor and chief financial officer, are trying to revamp the largest college on campus so much so that they plan on redefining higher education altogether. While they aren't quite sure what that will look like — they are interested in shaping the vision with input from students, staff and faculty, they said — Moore said he's never seen another university do anything like what he's imagining.

On Monday, Kent was pleased the voices of faculty hadn't fallen on deaf ears.

"The provost's willingness to listen to, hear and act upon faculty concerns about the appointment of an interim dean of the college clearly shows that he is sincere in his commitment to faculty collaboration and governance," Kent told the Daily Camera. "I look forward to a process that should yield an exciting revisioning for the college."

Stephen Mojzsis, a geology professor and chair of the Arts and Sciences Council, said the provost's latest announcement was great news.

He, along with representatives of the campus-wide Boulder Faculty Assembly, were working on another letter urging the administration to reconsider White's appointment time before the news late Monday afternoon.

The letter from the council and assembly, obtained by the Daily Camera, also included a list of examples when faculty members felt they were left out of important decision-making processes, such as the closing of Residential Academic Programs, dissolving of the Boulder Campus Planning Commission and initiatives in the sphere of online education.

Mojzsis said hopes this latest move from Moore and White is the start of a wider conversation about the importance of faculty's involvement.

"We're very grateful for this announcement from the provost and the interim dean," Mojzsis said. "It's certainly welcoming, especially in terms of the topic of transparency and inclusiveness in the decision-making process of the college and the campus."

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